Free flow water system for asphalt rollers

ABSTRACT

An open-sided trough is mounted for vertical and horizontal adjustment with respect to each roller of a conventional asphalt paving machine, a segment of the roller closing the open side of the trough. A rubber blade forms part of the bottom of the trough. The vertical adjustment enables the operator to keep the trough level to retain water therein while operating the machine on a grade; the horizontal adjustment permits compensation for blade wear from rubbing contact with the roller, as well as applying the proper amount of blade pressure to the roller.

[ July 11, 1972 FREE FLOW WATER SYSTEM FOR ASPHALT ROLLERS Primaq- Examiner-Jacob L. Nackenofl' Attorney-Dugger, Peterson. Johnson & Westman [72] lnventor: Arthur A. Smith, 1863 Baylor Street,

Union City, Calif. 94587 [57] ABSTRACT {22] Filed: An open-sided trough is mounted for vertical and horizontal [2|] Appl. No.: 80,929 adjustment with respect to each roller of a conventional asphalt paving machine, a segment of the roller closing the open side of the trough. A rubber blade forms part of the bot- [gf] tom oflhe trough The vertical adjusmem enables the opera d 6 94150 tor to keep the trough level to retain water therein while 1 o operating the machine on a grade; the horizontal adjustment permits compensation for blade wear from rubbing contact [56] References cued with the roller. as well as applying the proper amount of blade UNITED STATES PATENTS pressure to the roller- 2 l33,l73 l0/l938 Meyer ..94/50R 9Cla|rm,5l)rawingflgures mo 88 U8 /06 98 L L ms 2 m4 1- 1/0 t I 1 8 I22 i l as 0 B6 i 1 I L; /J8 5515:1 1 R1? (36;; 44

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P'ATENTEDJHL 1 1 1972 3. 675.546

sum 1 or 2 I N VENTOR 17277012 4. .SM/Tl FREE FLOW WATER SYSTEM FOR ASPHALT ROLLERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to asphalt paving machines, and pertains more particularly to a free flow water system for the rollers thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art The need for preventing the adhesion and build-up of asphalt on the rollers of an asphalt paving machine is generally known. With prior art systems, however, there has been a serious problem in not being able to supply water uniformly and continuously to the roller under all rolling conditions. For instance, paving machines frequently must be operated on various lateral grades and crowned surfaces which cause the water to flow to the lower side of the roller with the consequence that the lower side receives little or no water. One prior art attempt to solve this problem is described in US. Pat. No. 2,430,781 for FLUID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS, the patent having been granted to William H. Phalor on Nov. II, 1947. This type of apparatus, though, is not a free flow system and requires more water than is necessary, especially inasmuch as the water is discharged through orifices or perforations onto the surface in a sprinkler-like fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the present invention is to provide a system for uniformly and continuously supplying water to either or both rollers of a conventional asphalt paving machine.

Another object is to apply the water to each roller economically thereby conserving the water carried in the tank and reducing the need for refilling the tank as frequently.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trough that can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally at both ends thereby permitting facile leveling thereof and also enabling the operator to adjust the trough and its rubber blade so as to provide a desired pressure against the roller and also to provide compensation for blade wear resulting from contact of the blade with the roller.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable mounting for a water trough with respect to either roller of a paving machine so that the trough may be backed off or retracted a distance sufficient to avoid breakage when rolling subsurfaces. Stated somewhat differently, it is envisaged that a paving machine will at times be employed for smoothing nonbituminous surfaces where the wetting of the roller is not required, the trough then being retracted sufficiently from the roller while dirt and rock are being scraped off the roller by the machine's steel blade.

Yet another object is to provide a water system for paving rollers comprised of parts that are not apt to corrode. More specifically, the mounting brackets are located above the water level and those few parts contacted by water are made of non-corrosible material, i.e. aluminum and rubber.

Still another object is to provide a water system of the foregoing character that can be installed on existing rolling equipment, it not being necessary to modify the design of the machine in order to use my system.

An additional aim of the invention is to provide a system of relatively low cost, thereby encouraging its widespread adoption by both manufacturers and contractors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a front drive paving machine, the steering being accomplished with the rear roller;

FIG. 2 is a sectional detail view taken in direction of line 2- 2 of FIG. 1 for the purpose of illustrating how my free flow water system can be installed in relation to the front roller;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the rear of the machine, the view depicting how the system is mounted in relation to the steering or rear roller;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 4-4 of FIG. 3 for the purpose of showing to better advantage the construction of the trough utilized in the practicing of my invention, and

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the parts constituting the trough and the means for effecting vertical and horizontal adjustment thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. I, a conventional asphalt paving machine has been denoted generally by the reference numeral 10. The machine 10 includes a front roller 12 and a rear roller 14. The chassis has been assigned the reference numeral 16, there being a forwardly extending casing 18 that provides a hood for the front roller 12 having side walls or skirts labeled 20 (only the nearer side wall 20 being visible). The front roller 12 in the exemplary situation is rotatable about a fixed axis labeled 22. Inasmuch as the machine selected in this instance is steered from the rear, there is a relatively slender gooseneck 24 projecting rearwardly in a cantilever fashion, providing a vertical axis for a pivotal steering yoke 26. Thus, the steerable rear roller 14 is mounted for rotation about an axis 28 that can be swung into various angular positions by the steering wheel 29.

As best viewed in FIG. 3, a pair of lugs or ears 32 project rearwardly from the yoke 26 and serve to retain therebetween a rod or shaft 34 that pivotally supports a pair of arms 36. At the free ends of the arms 36 is carried a steel scraper 38, the scraper 38 being affixed to the arms by means of bolts 40 and nuts 42 (see FIG. 4).

The preceding description has dealt with conventional rolling equipment. Now to be discussed is the free flow water system indicated generally be the reference numeral 43, there being one such system 43a associated with the non-steerable front roller 12 and a second such system 43b juxtaposed with respect to the non-steerable rear roller 14. As the description progresses, a minor difference exists in the manner in which these systems are mounted.

The system 43 in each instance comprises a trough 44 having a vertical flange 46 and a horizontal flange 48; these flanges are integral with respect to each other and constitute a non-corrosible member, preferably of aluminum. A pair of blocks 50, also preferably of aluminum, are located at each end of the angle member composed of the integral flanges 46, 48. These blocks 50 are secured to the vertical flange through the agency of a pair of screws 52 (best seen in FIG. 2). An additional pair of screws 54, 56 extend through the horizontal flange 48', these screws are of slightly different length and therefore have been assigned different reference numerals. Both screws 54 and 56 are visible in FIG. 4, whereas only the screw 56 at each end of the trough 44 can be seen in FIG. 5.

The trough 44 further includes a resilient rubber blade 58 having upturned end sections 60 formed with holes 62 extending through the thickness thereof. By means of a bolt 64 extending through each hole 62 into a tapped hole 66 in each block 50, the ends of the rubber blade 58 are secured in place. If desired, quite obviously, the holes 66 may be untapped and nuts applied to the bolts 64 to anchor them in place. Washers 68 are shown which are positioned between the heads of the bolts 64 and the end blocks 50.

Beneath the body or main portion of the rubber blade 58 is a backing strip 70, the strip '70 being of non-rusting metal such as aluminum. As can be discerned from FIG. 5, the strip 70 has a number of holes 72 fonned therein through which a similar number of screws 74 extend, the screws 74 passing upwardly through aligned holes 76 in the rubber blade 58 into tapped holes 77 in the horizontal flange 48. Inasmuch as specific identification has been made of the screws 56, it will be appreciated that these screws pass upwardly through holes 78 adjacent the ends of the backing strip 70, continuing through holes 79 in the rubber strip 58 and terminating in the tapped holes of the blocks 50. Hence, it will be apparent that the screws 56 perform a dual purpose, assisting in the anchorage of the rubber blade 58 and also assisting in the retention of the blocks 50in place.

At this time, attention is directed to a pair of stationary mounting blocks 80 having untapped holes 82 therein. These blocks 80 are affixed to the vertical flange 46 by means of screws 84 extending through holes formed in the flange 46, a pair of such screws 84 appearing in FIG. 2.

Although the mounting assemblies that accomplish vertical and horizontal adjustment of the trough 44 are identical, it is believed to be of assistance to give these assemblies difl'erent reference numerals because their relative positions are reversed between FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. Accordingly, these assemblies have been denoted by the reference numeral 86 in one instance and 88 in the other. Each assembly 86, 88 includes a vertical threaded rod 90 and upper and lower nuts 92, 94 that anchor the vertical rods to the fixed mounting blocks 80, the lower ends of the rods 90 being received in the untapped holes 82 of these blocks 80. Each assembly 86, 88 further includes a movable or connector block 96 having a vertically drilled passage 98 for receiving the upper portion of the vertical rod 90 in each instance. Upper and lower nuts I and 102 retain the vertical rod 90 of each assembly 86, 88 in a preferred vertical position and hence the trough 44 at a desired elevation. Of course, each assembly 86, 88 can be individually adjusted and this feature permits leveling the trough 44 when the roller 14 is traversing a lateral grade or crowned surface.

Still further, each assembly 86, 88 has a horizontal threaded rod 104 associated therewith, the rod I04 passing through a horizontal passage 106 in the movable block 96 of each assembly 86, 88. Here again, a pair of nuts 108, 110 are employed, these confronting the front and back of the block 96.

It should be pointed out at this stage of the description that the trough 44 associated with the rear roller 14 is the same as the trough juxtaposed with respect to the front roller 12, a portion of which trough is visible in FIG. 2. Likewise, the mounting assemblies 86 and 88 are identical as far as the front roller is concerned. One forward assembly 86 appears in FIG. 2. It is only with respect to the manner in which the assemblies 86 and 88 (the assembly 88 not being visible in FIG. 2) are supported that there is any difference between the rear system 43b and the front system 43a. More particularly, it will be perceived that a pair of flat brackets I I2 having holes 114 therein with nuts 6 and 118 serve to attach the assemblies 86 and 88 to the previously-mentioned pivotal arms 36. To accomplish this, each bracket I12 is formed with an additional hole I through which the same bolt 40 passes that used to mount the steel scraper 38. Actually, there are two such bolts 40 and one passes through one of the flat brackets II2 and the other bolt 40 through the second bracket II2. If desired, an apertured spacer 122 can be interposed between the bracket I12 and the free end of the arm 36 to which it is attached.

Instead of the flat brackets 112, at the front a pair of right angled brackets I24 are employed, these having holes therein corresponding to the holes I14 which permit reception of the threaded ends of the horizontal rods 104, one such hole being at I in FIG. 1. Better shown, however, is a hole at I26 in FIG. 2 which accommodates a bolt 128 having an interiorally attached nut 130. In this way, the angle bracket I24 visible in FIG. 2 is secured to the left side wall or skirt 20 of the casing 18. A suitable access opening (not shown) in the side wall or skirt 20 enables adjustment to be made of the forwardly located trough 44. Such an opening can be quite small, merely being located so that the operator can insert his hands in order to reach the positioning or adjusting nuts I00 and 102 to effect the vertical adjustment, and the nuts 108 and 110 to effect the horizontal adjustment.

Machines 10 of the type herein alluded to have a water tank or reservoir for supplying the water to either or both of the rollers l2 and I4. Use of such a tank is made when practicing the teachings of my invention. Inasmuch as this is conventional equipment, no need is seen for illustrating such a tank. However, one end ofa water hose 132 appears in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, a bracket I34 functioning to hold the discharge end of the hose I32 centrally of the trough 44 of each system 43a, 43b. The bracket 134 in turn has a bolt 136 extending through an aperture 138 provided in the vertical flange 46 and a nut I40 retains the hose bracket or clamp 134 in a fixed relation. Thus, the lower end of the hose 132 gravitationally discharges water from the tank into the trough 44. It will be understood that a valve permits a controlled supply of water through the hose 132 into the trough 44. It will also be recognized that a similar water hose I32 (although not pictured) leads to the trough 44 contained in the front system 43a and it is individually controlled by a valve to prevent overflowing of the trough at the front.

Having presented the foregoing detailed description, the manner in which my two systems 43a, 43b function or operate should be readily apparent. Assuming that the machine is to traverse a level surface, then the nuts 100 and 102 would be positioned on the vertical rod so as to either raise or lower one end of the trough 44 with respect to the other end thereof. Concomitantly with such an adjustment would be the positioning of the nuts 108 and 110 on the horizontal rod 104 of each assembly 86, 88 so as to provide the proper pressural contact between the projecting portion or lip of the blade 58 and the roller 12 or I4, as the case may be.

It will be recognized that the trough 44 has an open side, the open side being, in effect, closed by a segment of the roller I2 or 14. The vertical flange 46 constitutes the other side wall of the trough 44. The horizontal flange 48, together with the projecting portion of the rubber blade 58, form the bottom wall of the trough. The blocks 50 function as the end walls. The top of the trough 44 is open and the water enters thereinto through the hose 132 from the tank (not shown) as determined by the control valve (also not shown).

When the machine 10 is to traverse a lateral slope or grade or a crowned road surface, then the rollers 12 and I4 assume a canted relationship conforming to the sloping terrain and one end or the other of the troughs 44 of the two systems 43 can be adjusted to level the troughs. This is very easily achieved through the agency of the nuts and 102. If need be, the nuts I08 and may be adjusted at this time to maintain the desired pressural engagement of the rubber blade 58 with the roller 12 or I4. Reference should be made to FIG. 3 at this point because the angle through which the vertical adjustment can be made at each end of the particular trough 44 there illustrated is through the space between the arrows I42 at the left and the arrows 144 at the right.

When the blade 58 wears, which it will with only normal pressure, then, quite obviously, only the nuts 108 and 110 need be repositioned on the horizontal threaded rods I04. there then being no need to resort to any vertical adjustment.

As far as both systems 43a, 43b are concerned, the trough 44 is mounted in juxtaposition with respect to the rear surface (which moves upwardly) of the associated roller 12 and I4. In this way, the water contained in the trough 44 in each system 43 is carried over the upper surface of the roller and approximately 255 of the surface is maintained in a wet or moistened condition. Quite obviously, the machine 10 will be backed up from time to time, but due to the trough 44 being only slightly above the horizontal, a thin film of water is, in effect, wiped onto the downwardly moving surface, and since it has a lesser distance (approximately degrees) to travel before engaging the asphalt being rolled, there will be less evaporation and the thin film normally proves to be adequate to prevent adhesion of the asphalt onto the roller even when traveling rearwardly.

The length of the threaded rods 90 and I04 permit the trough 44 of each system 43a, 43b to be moved a considerable distance away from the panicular roller 12 or 14 with which it normally coacts so that non-bituminous subsurfaces can be readily rolled. In other words, dirt and rock will be scraped off the roller by machines steel scraper 38 and any engagement of this foreign material with any portion of either system 43 is avoided. Actually, only an adjustment on the vertical rods 90 is necessary in order to move the trough and blade assembly sufficiently (about two inches) away from the operable relation with which such portions of my system normally assume.

I claim:

1. A free flow water system for asphalt paving machines comprising a trough having a bottom wall, end walls and a side wall, means for supporting said trough in juxtaposition with a roller of the machine so that a segment of the roller forms the opposite side of said trough, whereby water contained in said trough will moisten surface portions of said roller that rotate relative said trough, means for vertically adjusting each end of said trough, each vertical adjusting means including a threaded rod extending upwardly from spaced locations on said trough and a connector block through which each vertical threaded rod extends.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1 in which said bottom wall includes a generally horizontal flange and a resilient blade projecting therefrom.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2 in which said side wall constitutes a vertical flange, said flanges being integral with each other to form an angle member.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3 in which said end walls each include a block secured to said flanges.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4 in which said resilient blade underlies said horizontal flange and is upturned at its ends so as to confront said block.

6. A system in accordance with claim 5 including means detachably securing the upturned ends of said resilient blade to said blocks.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6 including a backing strip underlying said blade. and means detachably securing said strip to said horizontal flange to sandwich a portion of said blade therebetween.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a horizontal threaded rod also extending through each connector block whereby said trough can also be adjusted horizontally.

9. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of nuts on each vertical rod for engaging the top and bottom of the connector block for that particular vertical rod to maintain the desired vertical adjustment of said trough, and a pair of nuts on each horizontal rod for engaging the front and back of the connector block for that particular horizontal rod to maintain the desired horizontal adjustment of said trough.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3, 75,5 Imted July 11, 197

InVentQr(S) Arthur A. Smith It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 13, "1" should be -8-.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of March 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A free flow water system for asphalt paving machines comprising a trough having a bottom wall, end walls and a side wall, means for supporting said trough in juxtaposition with a roller of the machine so that a segment of the roller forms the opposite side of said trough, whereby water contained in said trough will moisten surface portions of said roller that rotate relative said trough, means for vertically adjusting each end of said trough, each vertical adjusting means including a threaded rod extending upwardly from spaced locations on said trough and a connector block through which each vertical threaded rod extends.
 2. A system in accordance with claim 1 in which said bottom wall includes a generally horizontal flange and a resilient blade projecting therefrom.
 3. A system in accordance with claim 2 in which said side wall constitutes a vertical flange, said flanges being integral with each other to form an angle member.
 4. A system in accordance with claim 3 in which said end walls each include a block secured to said flanges.
 5. A system in accordance with claim 4 in which said resilient blade underlies said horizontal flange and is upturned at its ends so as to confront said block.
 6. A system in accordance with claim 5 including means detachably securing the upturned ends of said resilient blade to said blocks.
 7. A system in accordance with claim 6 including a backing strip underlying said blade, and means detachably securing said strip to said horizontal flange to sandwich a portion of said blade therebetween.
 8. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a horizontal threaded rod also extending through each connector block whereby said trough can also be adjusted horizontally.
 9. A system in accordance with claim 1 including a pair of nuts on each vertical rod for engaging the top and bottom of the connector block for that particular vertical rod to maintain the desired vertical adjustment of said trough, and a pair of nuts on each horizontal rod for engaging the front and back of the connector block for that particular horizontal rod to maintain the deSired horizontal adjustment of said trough. 